Armenians are mobilizing Congress to get recognition

"With the Obama-Biden administration and new Congress now in place, we have the best opportunity in years to end Turkey's gag rule on American recognition of the Armenian genocide," The Armenian National Committee of America, or ANCA, said in a statement released yesterday for U.S. Armenians.

The ANCA's Web site included a template letter Armenians could send to lawmakers. In the letter, lawmakers are encouraged to become early co-sponsors of the "genocide resolution," likely to be introduced to the House soon by pro-Armenian representatives Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, and George Radanovich, a Republican also from California. Nearly half of the 1.5-million-strong U.S. Armenian community lives in California. The ANCA also reiterated a call for U.S. Armenians to send messages to President Obama to urge him to keep a pledge made during the election campaign last year to recognize the claims of genocide if elected.

"We are, of course, looking forward to President Obama honoring his pledge to recognize the Armenian genocide and are turning to you to help build support for proper congressional recognition of this crime against humanity," the ANCA told U.S. Armenians.

Mark Kirk, an Illinois Republican and co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus in the House, said the U.S. Defense and State Departments would always oppose the resolution, citing strategic aspects of the relationship with Turkey. "I think we are the strongest at the beginning of a Congress, at the beginning of a presidency... So it's best if we move now," Kirk said.

With Obama as president, Armenians hope this time they will win formal U.S. recognition for the claims of "genocide".